Balearic Sea School

International Certificate of Competence (ICC)

Duration: 2 days
Student Ratio: Maximum 3:1
Previous experience required: None

A practical course covering the basics of seamanship, safety, manoeuvering, Rules of the Road and navigation, includingplotting a course. This course is only available to UK residents.

The ICC is required by most European countries for certain categories of pleasure boat. It is also useful in countries where compulsory certificates are required of nationals simply because officials expect to see such a certificate. RYA publications C1 and C2 Planning a Foreign Cruise give the details of the certification required for all European countries.

ALL CANDIDATES -
REGULATIONS

Knows responsibility for keeping a proper lookout
Can determine a "safe speed"
Can recognise a potential collision situation
Can identify 'give way' vessel in a collision situation
Knows what action to take as 'give way' and 'stand on' vessel
Knows responsibilities of a small vessel in a narrow channel
Can recognise manoeuvring signals (1,2,3 & 5 short blasts)
Can make and recognise visual distress signals

SAFETY

Is able to use and instruct crew on the use of:
     Lifejackets
     Distress flares
     Fire extinguishers
     'Kill cord' (if fitted)
Can prepare a boat for use and take sensible precautions before setting out, including:
     Engine checks
     Check fuel for range/duration of trip
     Obtain weather forecast
     Avoid overloading boat

ADDITIONALLY, FOR CANDIDATES FOR COASTAL WATERS -
REGULATIONS

Knows rules relating to Traffic Separation Schemes
Knows requirements for navigation lights and shapes to be displayed by own vessel
Can recognise the following from the lights:
Power driven, sailing vessel, vessel at anchor, tug and tow, fishing vessel, dredger
Knows sound signal to be made by vessels as in Q3

PILOTAGE

Can recognise, by day and night, and understand significance of buoys of the IALA system
Knows sources of information on: local regulations, port entry and departure signals, VTS and Port Operations Radio
Can plan a harbour entry/departure, taking account of possible presence of large vessels and avoiding navigational hazards

NAVIGATION (Chart & Plotting Instruments required)

Can interpret a navigational chart, understand significance of charted depths and drying heights and can identify charted hazards
Can plot position by cross bearings and by Lat/Long
Can determine magnetic course to steer, making allowances for leeway and tidal stream
Can use a tide table to find times and heights of high and low water at a standard port
Can determine direction and rate of tidal stream from a tidal stream atlas or tidal diamonds on a chart